Stories from 8 July 2011
The Disputed Reputation of Portugal's Former Political Police Chief
Major Silva Pais, the last director of Portugal's repressive PIDE police force - operative during the country's “New State” period - has been implicated in a play, in the 1965 assassination of democratic opposition politician General Humberto Delgado. A controversial criminal case is underway by Pais' nephews against the play's author and the directors who staged it.
Cameroon: Anti-Corruption Application Developed
Hervé Djia, a Cameroonian E-entrepreneur, introduced on his Twitter account [fr] the Android Application he has created: NoBakchich [fr]. The tool intends to fight against corruption by allowing users to report any case of bribery witnessed. Using crowdsourcing, NoBakchich will also enable users to give information regarding administrative procedures and associated...
Belarus: One-way ticket to the west
Kyle Keeton of Windows to Russia ridicules Belarus president's, Lukashenko, proposal to send all political prisoners in the country to the West, if Europe will have them.
Zambia: Who Do We Believe Online?
A highly incriminating email purportedly written by a senior member of an opposition party to his secretary general was leaked to and published by the online investigative news website Zambian Watchdog. However, netizens have taken it with a pinch of salt.
Sri Lanka: Colombo Pride 2011
Equal Ground, a mixed organization in Sri Lanka working towards mainstreaming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) issues, is organizing a range of Colombo Pride 2011 programs which include an workshop titled “struggling against homophobic violence and hate crime”.
North Korean Newspapers Never Go out of Business?
Blogger Hankok Story summarized characteristics of North Korean newspaper. The most extraordinary thing about newspapers in North is that they don't have to worry about going out of business, since newspapers are distributed to pre-selected people loyal to ruling party. They can shut down only when the party orders closing.
Russia: Economic strengths and weaknesses
The Pipeline summarizes the World Economic Forum “Russia Competiveness Report 2011” outlining the strengths and weaknesses of Russian economy.
Belarus: Guilt by association?
LJ user budimir claims [RU] that Michail Myasnikovich, Prime Minister of Belarus, has announced that employees will be fired if they or members of their family participate in protests against the Lukashenko regime – a measure the blogger “supports”.
Hungary: Black sheep of Europe?
The Worden Report discusses how Hungary is overriding European Union legislation and decisions, and what the limits for membership are to make European federalism work.
China: Exploding Watermelon Is Safe?
Local state media exposed that farmers in China's Jiangsu province are experiencing a problem with “exploding watermelons” due to the overuse of growth enhancing chemicals. The Ministry of Agriculture has recently asserted that the chemical growth enhancer for watermelon is safe, but Chinese netizens are doubtful.
China: The box office of Beginning of the Great Revival
Ministry of Tofu explains how Chinese cinemas cheated on the ticket office figure of the propaganda movie Beginning of the Great Revival .
Russia: Bloggers Discuss Nashi and Navalny on Al Jazeera
Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog and Kevin Rothrock of A Good Treaty talked on Al Jazeera‘s The Steam show about the Russian pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi and anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny.
